Turning career anxiety into action: Bella’s journey from study to employment at RMIT

Turning career anxiety into action: Bella’s journey from study to employment at RMIT

Certificate IV in Marketing and Communication student Bella Chen found a new sense of direction through RMIT’s vocational education and on-campus employment opportunities.

After initially completing a Bachelor of Graphic Design, Bella felt she wasn’t quite ready to enter the workforce.

“I felt very lost,” she said. “Videos about difficult job markets, the AI bubble and economic recession were popping up on my social media feed, and I wanted to prepare myself more before entering the job market.”

Bella considered taking a gap year or studying a graduate certificate, but the cost of further education and the fear of creating a résumé gap in a highly competitive job market led her to explore more practical options.

She knew she needed a pathway that balanced affordability with real industry engagement and found that RMIT’s vocational education courses offered the mix of affordability and real-world relevance she’d been looking for, and things began to fall into place.

“RMIT vocational education courses offer practical insights without breaking the bank,” she said.

With a background in design, Bella enrolled part-time in the Certificate IV in Marketing and Communication so she could better understand how visual content fits into broader marketing strategies.

While studying, she came across an opportunity to work at RMIT – an early reward for her decision to choose a course centred on practical engagement.

Bella is now working part-time as a student graphic designer in RMIT’s Property Services Group, where she works with stakeholders to update visual materials and ensure they align with RMIT’s brand.

Finding employment through RMIT has helped Bella feel more secure about the future and given her the opportunity to develop her professional skill set.

“My current role allowed me to apply my studies in a professional environment, identifying the gaps in my foundations and consolidating them,” she said.

“I’ve picked up small things like workplace etiquette, email structures and co-worker alignment that are hard to be taught in class.”

Working at the university alongside her studies has helped Bella achieve balance, and support from her team has enabled her to maximise both streams.

“My team make sure to prioritise my education, and that the workload is manageable, so I get the most out of this experience,” she said.

Two people holding microphones standing on stageBella at an event for prospective students, where she spoke about student life at RMIT

During her time at RMIT, Bella has taken on various support roles and responsibilities, making the most of opportunities offered by the university. She began as a student ambassador and, through that role, learnt about other student jobs on campus and found a position at Student Connect.

Looking back on her journey from uncertainty to a more confident future, Bella encourages fellow students to stay flexible and kind to themselves.

“Once you have a direction, only use it as a guide for your broader life goal,” she said.

Enjoy the journey, and the opportunities will come to you when you are prepared to take them – and don't get too hung up on other people's success and forget to celebrate your own.
04 August 2026

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

Learn more about our commitment to Indigenous cultures